The life & times of some guy in Texas. I travel a bit.

Media Muck

Like everyone else, my thoughs are with the people of the Gulf Coast who are going through just an appalling time in their lives.

It’s hard not to stay glued to the TV for images and news about what is happening. At the same time, I’m also appalled by the behavior of the media, although we shouldn’t be surprised. CNN has endlessly replayed Aaron Brown’s telephone interview with correspondent Jeanne Meserve in New Orleans. Last night, Jeanne filed an emotional report about the life/death decisions being made and how she could hear the screams of people and dogs who were trapped and as dark fell, the rescuers had to turn their boats to shore as it was too dangerous to be out – live electric lines, gas lines and other submerged hazards are everywhere.

Although Jeanne’s sympathy and emotions are clearly raw and real, and she was literally crying about how their boat was unable to save a few more lives that night. The boat had been ferrying people, a few at a time, most of the afternoon. Of course, the boats have a limited capacity and they can only take so many people each trip. It was evidently completely lost on Ms. Meserve and her cameraman that if their butts stayed on land and out of the boat, that more lives could be saved.

While I realize that there is a necessity for news and reports of these events, the reporters seem to have no problem placing their own lives in danger to get the stories and pictures we all crave – standing in 100mph winds while dodging aluminum awnings; but we should all draw the line at displacing life-saving space on a small rescue boat to accomodate the media.